Two NC State players earn invitations to NFL Combine. Who made the cut?
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- Two N.C. State seniors — Justin Joly and Brandon Cleveland — received NFL Combine invites.
- Joly had 1,129 career yards, led ACC tight ends in PFF receiver grade.
- Cleveland boasted 107 tackles, six sacks and service work in college career.
Two N.C. State football players are headed to the NFL Combine this month, hoping to impress pro scouts.
Wolfpack senior tight end Justin Joly and defensive lineman Brandon Cleveland received invitations to the combine, which takes place in Indianapolis from Feb. 26-March 1.
Devon Marshall, who impressed in the Shrine Bowl, was among the players who did not receive an invitation to the combine but is draft eligible.
Joly transferred from Connecticut in 2024 and played two full seasons at tight end for N.C. State. He solidified himself as one of the top receiving tight ends in the nation across his two years.
The New York native finished his Wolfpack career with 1,129 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. In 2025, his overall yardage dropped to 468 yards — roughly 200 fewer yards than the season before — but he scored a career-high seven times. He earned All-ACC first team honors this year. His seven receiving touchdowns tied for the most in the ACC this season.
Joly’s best game came during the team’s 53-34 loss at Pittsburgh, when he recorded 101 yards and two scores in the first half. He hauled in a 25-yard reception to put N.C. State on the board in the first quarter.
Later, he found the end zone on a double pass play, catching a pass from freshman receiver Teddy Hoffmann for a 59-yard touchdown. Joly recorded the catch at the 38-yard line and ran four steps before limping the remaining 20 yards. His touchdown cut Pitt’s lead to three points shortly before halftime. His teammates helped him off the field, and he was evaluated by the medical staff. Joly missed the next game because of his injury.
Joly scored in five games this season and scored twice in Week 3 against Wake Forest.
The senior recorded a receiving grade above 72 in every season, according to Pro Football Focus. This year, he ranked No. 8 in overall offense (76.4) and No. 2 in the ACC, behind his teammate Cody Hardy. As a receiver, he earned a PFF grade of 80.1. He led the ACC in the metric, while ranking No. 7 among Power Four tight ends and No. 9 in FBS for players with at least 100 receiving snaps.
Joly played against the Wolfpack in the 2023 season opener when UConn hosted N.C. State. He had 38 yards on four receptions.
His run and pass blocking could be improved, but he’s still competitive. With development from league coaches and his proven ability as a receiving tight end, Joly has an opportunity to prove himself. He is predicted to be drafted on Day 2 in the top 100 players.
“Whatever I have my mind set on, I’m usually good at obtaining,” Joly said at ACC Kickoff in July. “Obviously I wasn’t recruited highly, but it doesn’t matter to me. As long as you give me the chance, I’ll take it.” Cleveland, meanwhile, spent four seasons at N.C. State and played at nose tackle.
He recorded 107 tackles, six sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and a pass breakup in his Wolfpack career.
Cleveland received a 72.1 defensive grade for the season, according to PFF. He dominated in the run defense, grading out at a 75.2.
Cleveland has steadily improved and become more consistent overall during his time with the Wolfpack.
“Brandon Cleveland is a great guy,” quarterback CJ Bailey said last summer. “He’s gonna cause a lot of disruption, especially in the inside run and inside pocket.”
Cleveland said last season defensive coordinator DJ Eliot’s experience on the pro level helped the team understand what it takes to earn a spot in the NFL.
“He has an NFL mindset. He coached in the NFL, so how he goes about his business is legit,” Cleveland said. “It’s great to have an NFL coach that’s been with the (Philadelphia) Eagles and the best of the best. … We’re in college, but you want to prepare like you’re in the pros, because that’s what we’re trying to get to.”
Cleveland also received praise for his leadership on and off the field. He was a nominee for the 2025 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, which is given to a college football player for community service. He was part of the AFCA Good Works Team as well.
The senior used personal NIL funds to provide backpacks and school supplies to nearly 200 children at the Raleigh Boys and Girls Club. He also delivered food to the homeless community, worked with his local hospital in Florida on Christmas and raised $10,000 for the N.C. State student food bank.
The NFL Draft is scheduled for April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.
This story was originally published February 11, 2026 at 5:51 PM with the headline "Two NC State players earn invitations to NFL Combine. Who made the cut?."
